Samford in the News – March 9-16, 2014

A round-up of selected Samford University references in news outlets around the nation. It is compiled by the Office of Marketing and Communication from the university's media tracking service and may not be a comprehensive list.

Former Students' Production Company Featured

In a story widely distributed by al.com, Logan Dillard and Stephen Stinson credit a class project while Samford undergraduates as the impetus for starting their production company Back Down South Films. "Why not think about making this into something that's sustainable and something that can be a career?" Stinson said about their collaboration. "It wasn't until that moment that we really realized that this is something we could do for the rest of our lives," adds Dillard."

Alumna Honored as National Woman of the Year

Madeleine Lewis, a 2009 graduate, was honored by the National Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women. In a story distributed nationally by PR Web, Lewis references her Samford experience and how it led to helping revitalize a company started by her father. "I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Pre-Medicine from Samford University," Lewis said, explaining the professional journey she has embarked upon. "The ultimate goal was to go to medical school, but life had different plans for me, and that led me to Somno."

M.B.A. Students Helping Helena Business Association

TheShelby County (Ala.) Reporter featured collaboration between the Helena (Ala.) Business Association and M.B.A. students from Brock School of Business. The students are working with members of the HBA to explore new ways to market and promote the HBA to prospective new members and add value for the HBA's current members. "The students did a great job analyzing our needs and helping us with some new directions for our marketing efforts," said METRO Goals president Ron Jones. "Their work will help give us new ways to reach our customers."

Carroll Speaks on Prayer Walks Involving Birmingham Police Officials

Saying that public officials can be involved in activities like prayer walks, Cumberland School of Law Dean John Carroll cautioned that they also need to be sensitive to the line between their conduct as private citizens and as public officials. In an interview with Birmingham's ABC affiliate, Carroll said, "Other accusations aren't cut and dry. The question is, 'Is there any way or a difference between the way police are treating that group versus the way they treat other groups?'"

Carroll Uses Personal Experience to Discuss Jurors' Responses

In stories distributed by al.com about a Mobile capital murder trial, Cumberland School of Law Dean John Carroll used his own experiences as a potential juror to discuss how prospective jurors might respond. He said, in high-profile cases, judges generally conduct individual questioning both to prevent other prospective jurors from hearing things they did not know, and also because jurors tend to be more forthcoming without a large group of people listening. ""I felt somewhat intimidated about standing up and giving a response to the judge," Carroll said of his experience as a potential juror.

Based on the university's media tracking services, Samford received 111 mentions in various media outlets during this period. Other stories that generated multiple local, regional and/or national attention included athletics, an appearance by the Harlem Globetrotters on campus, law school rankings, "Rascal Day," and hometown stories about students who made the fall 2013 deans' lists.